Comp won't recognize my ipod [Archive]

Jude

09-23-2003, 08:01 AM

I bought a 40GB iPod to use with my Acer 630 Travelmate laptop and windows XP. When I installed the software I couldn't configuer the iPod - I was continually told that the iPod wasn't connected. Audible Manager also tells me that the Ipod isn't connected when it quite clearly is.
The iPod has been flashing "Do Not Disconnect" for over 24 hours now and won't do anything else.
I've reinstalled the software several times but to no avail.
It is connected via the 4 pin firewire socket on the back of my laptop with the 6 to 4 pin adapter. I'm getting really frustrated with it all.
Has anyone got any suggestions as I don't really understand what's going on with it

Thanks

Jude

Jude

09-23-2003, 10:47 AM

Also, when I plug the iPod into the computer MusicMatch doesn't spring onto my screen - It totally doesn't acknowledge that the iPod is there.
Could it be my firewire connection - it's a 4-pin 1394 socket, built into the computer - should be good enough, right?
I tried to restore the ipod, but the computer "couldn't mount the iPod", whatever that means.
"Do not disconnect" is STILL flashing constantly on the iPod screen.
Is there anyone out there who can help me out?
Pleeeeeeeeeease!!!

Jude

09-23-2003, 11:37 AM

I am having a few problems and would really appreciate a bit of help before I tear out all my hair and smash my brand new 40GB iPod against the wall.

I have been having lots of problems getting started with the iPod (running on Windows XP on my laptop). The computer won't recognize that my iPod is connected through the built-in firewire socket. I eventually managed to reset the iPod and now it seems to be permanently stuck with the apple logo on the screen.
The computer, music match jukebox, and audible manager still don't believe me when I telll them the iPod is really connected.

This expensive little box is driving me insane - what can I do to resolve the iPod problems and restore my sanity?

ashawley

09-23-2003, 12:58 PM

**EDIT**
Jude: I merged your 2 threads. It's very important that you keep things to one thread. Otherwise we might lead you in the wrong directions...as I started to do

You're going to have to put it into forced firewire mode to get it off of the Apple Logo. But I think your bigger problem is that the built in firewire you have isn't capable of working w/the iPod. This is somewhat typical of built in firewire on PCs.

But anyway, try this...

Press and hold the Menu + Pause/Play buttons until the apple logo comes up. If you're stuck at the Apple logo already, this won't have an effect of course....

Press the FF and REW buttons until the iPod says "OK to Disconnect". Then Connect it. If the firewire card is working it'll say Do Not Disconnect. If not, it'll probably just stay there.

You might do well to buy a PCMCIA firewire card. Good brands are Adaptec and OrangeMicro.

Then things should work well.....

Adam

ashawley

09-23-2003, 01:03 PM

OK, before we go any further, let's uninstall all of the iPod Software. Very often it can cause connection problems:

I didn't realize until I read you other posts that you'd ever gotten a "Do Not Disconnect" which is good, it means that the PC at least recognizes there's an iPod there.

Uninstall the following:

1. MMJB iPod Plugin
2. iPod Manager

Reboot, then try connecting the iPod. Does it show up in My Computer as a drive (you may have to do the forced firewire steps I outlined above)?

If so, try the Restore tool. If that still can't mount the iPod, and the iPod does show up in My Computer, right click it and select "Format". Do a Quick Format. Then try the Updater.

Adam

skeeter123

09-23-2003, 05:07 PM

Hi Ashawley,

I just got a 30GB 3G and I am having a similar problem. I hook up my ipod and the computer assigns it the i: drive. The ipod flashes do not disconnect. Only problem is I cannot access the I drive for love or money. I tried restoring my ipod and I have tried copying the ipod directory in from the c: drive where I told ephpod to build it but nothing happens. It is there I just can't get to it...
I tried to format the I; drive and windows (xp home) won't let me do it. I think I have tried every solution that I could find surfing around and still no luck. What else can I do?
Thanks
skeeter

ashawley

09-23-2003, 05:20 PM

What happens when you try to format it? What error do you get?

Are you using firewire or USB? I'm not that good w/USB....

Adam

skeeter123

09-23-2003, 05:44 PM

It says "Windows was unable to complete format".
I am using firewire from a pcmcia firewire card.
skeeter

PeteW

09-24-2003, 09:38 AM

Having this problem myself with my brand new 40GB ipod, so let us know if you get this fixed!

Jude

09-24-2003, 09:42 AM

Thanks for the help Adam. My iPod is now playing music and I'm a happy chap.
BUT - Music Match Jukebox doesn't start up automatically when I connect the iPod (unless it just takes an incredibly long time and I get bored of waiting and just open the prog myself).
ALSO - MMJB takes an eternity to activate my iPod when I click "File > Send to portable device"
Any ideas?

Thanks again for your help!

Jude

PeteW

09-24-2003, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by Jude
I bought a 40GB iPod to use with my Acer 630 Travelmate laptop and windows XP. When I installed the software I couldn't configuer the iPod - I was continually told that the iPod wasn't connected. Audible Manager also tells me that the Ipod isn't connected when it quite clearly is.
The iPod has been flashing "Do Not Disconnect" for over 24 hours now and won't do anything else.
I've reinstalled the software several times but to no avail.

This is the exact problem I am having. I'm not having your problem with it being stuck on the Apple logo though. How did you fix the above problem as this is driving me crazy!

The drive shows up in my computer as a removable drive but the configuration thing said its not connected, as did the audible ssoftware, MMJB doesnt list it under portable devices, the updater stalls for ages and then says 'can not mount' and closes. Nothing happens when I try and quickt format it.

Cheers

Pete

Jude

09-24-2003, 11:03 AM

I reset the iPod, uninstalled all the software and let it sit for a day - I then reinstalled the software and managed to get a connection.
I'm still having problems though - mmjb takes forever to activate my iPod and sometimes it claims that the Ipod isn't connected at all. This machine is extremely frustrating - I don't know why I'm having these problems - Is it my in-built firewire? Is it mmjb? What should I do.

Good luck Pete!

Jude

PeteW

09-24-2003, 11:54 AM

well i was looking for a more technical answer that 'let it sit for a day' but thanks anyway!

this is really getting to me now! grrr!

PeteW

09-24-2003, 12:59 PM

well i spoke to apple and apparantly the unnofficial, but most effective way of fixing this is to install some sort of low-latency patch for your firewire chip...

i have no idea what this means, and cant find any patches. anyone have any ideas??

ashawley

09-24-2003, 01:36 PM

BAH! That is only if you have a certain type of mother board. Google for "VIA Latency Patch". You can read all about it.

Or, just get a good firewire card. (Adaptec 4300, Orangemicro) many built in cards aren't compatible w/the iPod. Not sure what you have though.

Regarding MMJB taking forever to recognize the iPod...that's just MMJB. I highly suggest you check out the Software Compendium (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2286) for a list of alternatives. If you want the most features, MC9 is your choice. It offers capabilities that are only now available to Mac users w/iTunes.

Adam

PeteW

09-24-2003, 04:14 PM

My motherboard doesnt have a via chipset, so that didnt work.
I went out and bought a new Belkin firewire card and installed it, and that didnt work, although i'm not sure if i disabled the onboard firewire properly.

Any more suggestions?

I seem to have tried everything and have got absolutely nowhere.

:(

ashawley

09-24-2003, 06:12 PM

Not the best bet on the Belkin cards, they are hit and miss. But that might not be the problem. I'm not sure at this point.

Let's do a little firewire card test. First off, uninstall everything that came on the Apple CD, MMJB iPod plugin, MMJB and iPod Manager.

Next, you said you can see the iPod in My Computer. Right click and select properties. Does it say FAT32 as the format? If it says HFS+ that means it's still a MiPod (how they all come) and we need to format it.

Right click the iPod drive and select Format. Do Quick Format.

Next, grab a bunch of mp3s (like 100MB) and using My Computer, copy them to a folder you make on the iPod. This is just to test the firewire card. See how the copy goes. If it goes OK, then the card is working all right. If not...well then, let me know what errors you get.

If you can copy the files to the drive, then I'm going to recommend that you try one of the other uploading programs out there. Check out the Softwaare Compendium (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2286). MC9 and Ephod are your best bets.

Adam

PeteW

09-24-2003, 06:38 PM

Right well the right-click and quick format did nothing, so i ended up going into control panel > admin tools > disk management and then formatted it there. BUT... i now realise that this has formatted the disc as NTFS instead of FAT32... does this mean I've shafted my pod???

This step did however mean that Ephod would load and build the control directories and stuff, and it seems to have copied files across OK, but when i turn on the ipod it comes with this icon:

http://www0.info.apple.com/images/kbase/61003/61003_1.gif
But then, I couldnt turn it off properly because the ipod permanently says 'do not disconnect' when it is plugged in, but i had no choice but to disconnect it
while it still said not too.

so i dunno if i've taken a step forward or a whole lot backwards!!

The belkin card actually said on the back that it could be used with windows ipods which was why i chose this one, and seeing as it seemed to transfer the files in ephod ok, i'd guess the card is fine?

PeteW

09-25-2003, 07:08 AM

anyone any suggestions?

i just installed the xp service pack as mentined in another thread, but it made no difference...

:(:(:(

red_calx

09-25-2003, 07:32 PM

Pete,

Had exactly the same problem, get round this by formatting from DOS. ( format drive: /fs:fat32

then try the restore option, I'm about to when format finishes.

PeteW

09-25-2003, 07:36 PM

cheers mate! trying it now!

PeteW

09-25-2003, 08:23 PM

well it spent an hour doing the formatting, and then once it got to 100% it said 'This volume is too big for FAT32' !! Did this happen to you? THe drive is still in NTFS mode and still has all the files it did before i 'reformatted' it.

Any ideas?

Bordes

09-25-2003, 10:07 PM

exact problem i have aswell, i called Tech support and they want me to ship it back, and i tried and it says my warranty is expired although i've had my ipod for a good 4 days now...

how do i format it through cmd prompt?